Bohemian Chic Shops in Manantiales and José Ignacio
Peak season in Manantiales and José Ignacio is about three weeks, from late-December to mid-January. This is the best time to visit if you want all of your shopping options to be open for business.
José Ignacio is a small and discreet bohemian enclave., where zoning laws forbid tall buildings. The rich fly in on their private jets to $10M vacation properties, so a majority of the lifestyle and clothing boutiques are tailor-made to accommodate the needs of the wealthy. Surfer-chic cover-ups fit for a salty lounge on the playa or jackets for a chilly days outside of peak season can all be found boutique shopping in José Ignacio.
Manantiales is just South of Punta del Este – what some call “Hampton’s of South America” but we call a way less fun and poorly designed Vegas. Manantiales reminded us just a bit of José Ignacio in that it felt more exclusive and more considered in building design. Here you can find your fair share of Argentinian-born fashion houses and incredible interior decorating shops.
Felix
Felix is a fashion house born in Buenos Aires, and the first Argentine brand to launch stores in José Ignacio and Manantiales (outside of Punta del Este). They’ve been around for 15 years, and maintained an air of boutique and unique in their brick-and-mortar locations, with concrete floors and cleanly color-coordinated racks.
The clothes are crafted for the male figure but women could certainly don some of their linen shirts as a beach cover-up or tie-up button down. It’s not cheap, but you’ll pay for a shirt that lasts a lifetime of wear and tear.
Open only during the summer season, be sure to swing by and select a matching linen suit in any color you can dream of – we went with the tomato. The address is part of the Fish Market – the best place to eat in the Punta del Este region in our opinion.
Magma
Most of the brands at Magma I recognized as ones available back in the states. What impressed me was the breadth of the collection. For each brand there were a good amount of pieces, and carefully selected ones at that.
This place has Bohemian chic nailed, with printed swimsuits, flowy skirts, and linen tanks for Uruguay’s Spring/Summer (September – February) as well as bohemian coats and leather boots for their Fall/Winter (March – August).
Swim Days
This store doesn’t have an online presence, including on the map, but it’s right next door to the The Shack Yoga, and has a fabulous selection of swimsuits and cover ups for women exclusively.
El Camarin
An Argentine born fashion house, this is El Camarin’s other location to their Buenos Aires flagship. A solid collection of hats and accessories complements the primary attraction: hand sewn and elegant lace dresses and skirts.
I’d never seen such detail, the lace detail was so beautiful I was sheepish to even touch it. The lace is not cheap, so great if you’re shopping for wedding outfits or have cash to splash.
Located in a shopping mall, I couldn’t find an exact address online but did find the entire mall’s address.
Cappadocia
This is the only Turkish textile shop in the area. Stop in Cappadocia if you’re looking to decorate your vacation pad, timeshare, or residence with bohemian vibes.
Velas de la Ballena
“Velas” means candles in Spanish, “Ballena” whale – which is why one is painted on the exterior. I wasn’t allowed to take photos in here so I got kicked out shortly after taking this one, but I’m still posting about them because I loved what I saw – an insane collection of uniquely made candles, some were shockingly gigantic and had crazy colorful details.
Manto Brigos
Manto Brigos is all about making conscious clothing purchases. Their pieces combine ancestral creativity with modern textile design. Each piece has a little touch of Argentine history in it as well as a social connection to the town of San Isidro in Salta. Manto Brigos produces one-of-a-kind pieces that you won’t see anyone else wearing. Their dresses, ponchos, and coats are fit for a day in the city or a day at the beach.
Masinfinito Casa
Masinfinito Casa exclusively sells interior design products. You may buy online or in-store at their locations in Montevideo or Punta del Este. They offer some helpful tips on decorating your casa, and if we lived in the area we’d definitely be stopping by for furniture and decór.